Melbourne still has room for another signing to its 30-man squad, but the arrival of Higginbotham, Kimami Situati and Chris Thompson has filled club officials with optimism in the wake of generational change.

The departure of Wallabies Stirling Mortlock, Al Campbell, Mark Gerrard and Adam Freier is part of coach Damien Hill's revitalisation program, further underlined by five new faces in the extended playing squad.

"We planned from the outset to recruit experienced players in our start-up seasons to assist with the development of a strong culture and playing style," Hill said.

"The involvement of these foundation players will continue in other ways.

"Sam Cordingley has stayed with the organisation in a recruitment capacity and Stirling Mortlock will play a part in our coaching structure next season."

While the revamped Rebels retain a solid core of players from its 2010 debut season, Hill will rely on the influx of new talent to build on the famous 2012 wins over the Crusaders and Blues.

Hill is confident the impressively accomplished Higginbotham will bolster the Rebels's backrow and accelerate the development of Luke Jones, Caderyn Neville and Hugh Pyle.

"Scott is an important recruit for the organisation as we step up for 2013," Hill said.

"We are building an exciting, well balanced squad with the likes of current Wallabies James OConnor, Kurtley Beale, Scott Higginbotham, Cooper Vuna and Nick Phipps, and several other players including Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Caderyn Neville, Mitch Inman, Laurie Weeks, Richard Kingi and Jarrod Saffy who we also expect to push for Wallaby selection.

"There are also several young players, such as Nic Stirzacker and Angus Roberts, who are keen to impress next season.

"The exciting thing is that there is still one final spot available. We have a few options that are more than capable of playing Super Rugby, but it will come down to who wants it more."

Queensland Reds' star Higginbotham, former Brumby Situati and 204cm line-out specialist Thomson, the tallest Australian player in Super Rugby, are among the recruits.

Alex Rokobaro, 22, returns to Australia having spent the past year in France with Stade Francais, with the versatile outside back familiar to the clubs supporters having been a part of the Rebel Rising program in 2011.

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